Description
M/s Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh Orchids of Himachal Pradesh by Verma Jagdeep & C S Kumar
Orchids of Himachal Pradesh describes in details with colour pictures, drawings and paintings 84 species and 1 variety in 44 genera of orchids native to the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh. Four subfamilies of the Orchid family are represented 1. Cypripedioideae with one genus (Cypripedium) and two species, 2. Orchidoideae with 17 genera and 40 species; 3. Vanilloideae with one genus (Galeola) and a single species (G. lindleyana (Hook. f. & Thomson) Rchb. f.) and 4. Epidendroideae with 41 spp. and one variety in 25 genera. Easy to use identification keys to the subfamilies, genera and species are provided along with historical details, information on type, etymology, ecology, phenology, occurrence within the state and distribution outside with notes wherever necessary. All the drawings prepared are original, unpublished and made after specimens collected from the state for the purpose. This is the first time that the orchid flora of this state is studied in detail and published. The historical part of the book provides information on all the pioneers, mostly with pictures, who collected orchids in this state over the last two centuries. Etymology of the generic and specific names also supplies historical information, often with photos of the individuals after whom a species is named. Apart from detailed taxonomic descriptions of genera and species, cytological data and foliar features, freshly studied during this work are also added to make the book comprehensive. Nomenclature is made up to date in consultation with proper records.